Description:
Iran and Turkmenistan share a common border of more than 1000 km. The two countries have good relations since Turkmenistan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Iran was the first nation to recognize Turkmenistan as an independent nation. Ashgabat has also long been described as Iran’s “gateway to Central Asia.” Since then, the two countries have enjoyed good relations and have cooperated in economic, transportation, infrastructure development, and energy sectors. On May 7, 2016, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani welcomed Turkmenistan’s foreign minister, Rashid Meredov, to Tehran. After their bilateral meeting, Rouhani declared that Iran and Turkmenistan needed to expand their security partnership, because both countries have common interests in counter-terrorism, containing Islamic extremism, and curbing drug trafficking. At this event, Turkmenistan's diplomatic delegation will discuss bilateral relation and possible option to boost cooperation on several issues, namely Islamic extremism, energy, trade and transportation.